Tag: Children's Theatre

Magik Theatre Brings A Charlie Brown Christmas to Life

Magik Theatre’s A Charlie Brown Christmas opens with its Party in the Park. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Magik Theatre Presents A Charlie Brown Christmas — A Heartwarming Holiday Tradition

San Antonio, TX – Magik Theatre is kicking off the holiday season with a festive family favorite: a charming stage adaptation of the classic A Charlie Brown Christmas. Sponsored by Whataburger and Valero, the production runs November 22–December 24 and invites audiences of all ages to rediscover the joy, simplicity, and spirit of the holidays. (Magik Theatre, 2025)

This faithful retelling follows Charlie Brown as he searches for the true meaning of Christmas. Surrounded by decorations and seasonal cheer, he still senses something missing. With help from Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, and the rest of the Peanuts gang, he takes on directing the school Christmas play hoping it will bring clarity and connection. Featuring Vince Guaraldi’s iconic score and Charles M. Schulz’s gentle humor, the production is perfect for both longtime fans and children experiencing the Peanuts magic for the first time.

Special Events & Add-On Experiences

Story Time at Hemisfair – Nov. 18 at 10 a.m.

Join Magik Theatre staff for a special outdoor story time featuring A Charlie Brown Christmas. The first 20 children receive a free book, plus enjoy a themed craft and playtime at Yanaguana Garden.

Opening Night Party in the Park – Saturday, Nov. 22

Party: 3:30–4:30 p.m.
Show: 5 p.m.
Celebrate opening night with a free holiday party at Hemisfair Park featuring a live DJ, themed craft, hot chocolate from Paleteria SA, Peanuts photo ops, and pictures with Santa inside the theatre (BYOC). The party is open to all; the performance is ticketed.

Singalong Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

Sing along to holiday favorites including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “O Christmas Tree,” and “Christmas Time Is Here.” Guests receive lyric booklets, and Bird Bakery is providing complimentary cupcakes.

Backstage Experience Add-On (After Every Show Except Special Events)

For $20 per person, enjoy an onstage meet-and-greet, photo opportunities with the cast, a guided 15-minute tour, and a special treat.
Note: Not accessible for mobility devices. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Field Trips & Mini Camps

Student Matinees

Magik’s beloved field trips include a weekday performance plus TEKS-aligned learning. A December 5 performance includes live audio description for vision-impaired students. Educators can reserve field trips online.

Fall & Winter Mini Camps

Perfect for 1st–5th graders during school breaks.

  • Fall Camp: Nov. 24–26, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. – $145
  • Winter Camp: Dec. 23–24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. – $50/day

Each camp features storytelling, puppetry, games, and a live performance.

Special Performances

Pay What You Wish + Live Audio Description – Saturday, Nov. 29 at 2 p.m.

A donation-based, accessible performance sponsored by H-E-B. Live audio description (via headset) is provided by Vibrant Works. Tickets available only at the door on the day of the performance.

Educator Appreciation Day – Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m.

Educators and school staff receive one free ticket with ID. Additional tickets are 20% off.

ASL Interpreted Performance – Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m.

Featuring interpretation by Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s leading ASL interpreter.

Sensory-Friendly Performance – Saturday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m.

Ideal for guests on the autism spectrum or with sensory sensitivities, offering a relaxed, judgment-free environment.

Military & First Responders Day – Saturday, Dec. 30 at 2 p.m.

Service members with valid military ID can purchase $5 discounted tickets.

Ticket Information

Single Tickets

  • $30 – Adults
  • $25 – Children (2–17), Military, Seniors, Educators & Students
  • Free – Children under 2 (unless using a seat)

Purchase online, by phone at (210) 227-2751, or in person at Magik Theatre’s Box Office (420 S. Alamo). Group rates are available for parties of 10+.

A Charlie Brown Christmas cast. Photo: Mewborne Photography, used with permission.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical and summer camp coming to Magik Theatre

The Magik Theatre announces its electrifying summer blockbuster production The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Like a bolt from the blue, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical hits the Magik Theatre from July 1-August 6. This adaptation of San Antonio native Rick Riordan’s extraordinary bestseller features all of the action and excitement Percy Jackson fans love, set to an original rock score by Rob Rokicki that will electrify audiences. This mythical adventure deemed “worthy of the gods” by Time Out New York, follows everyone’s favorite 12-year-old demi-God Percy Jackson as he descends to the underworld and back on the most dangerous quest of his life. (Magik Theatre, 2023)

Author Rick Riordan, a San Antonio native, published “Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief” in 2005. It is the first in the award-winning series created by the Alamo Heights High School alumni and former St. Mary’s Hall teacher. Originally created as a bedtime story for his oldest son, the Percy Jackson series features a modern-day 12-year-old boy who discovers he is the son of the Greek god Poseidon. In The Lightning Thief, we meet young Jackson who is just discovering his lineage and his uncontrollable powers, neither of which he wants. When he is falsely accused of stealing the master lightning bolt of the Greek god Zeus, he must accept his destiny, prove his innocence, and prevent a war between the gods by finding and returning the bolt. The hero’s journey demands that Jackson travel to the underworld and back, solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns him of betrayal by a friend, and finally come to terms with his father who abandoned him.

Magik Theatre takes pride in using only professional actors in their productions. These talented, trained, working actors are masters of their craft, transporting audiences to faraway and magikal places via cherished, timeless literature, and storytelling. In The Lighting Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical, the titular character is brought to life by James Cazares, making his Magik Theatre debut. He is joined by Izabella Montes as Annabeth Chase, the demigod daughter of Athena, and Ian Eller as Jackson’s best friend Grover Underwood. The rest of the cast includes Jon Renee Tucker as Luke, John Michael Hoke as Mr. Brunner aka Chiron, Jessica Willis as Sally, and Emma Gervasi as Clarisse. Artistic Director Anthony Runfola is the director with choreography by Kaity McSalis and music direction by Christopher Bailey. The design team includes scenery by Christopher Boneta, costumes by Stormie Brennan, lighting by Carlos Nine, and sound design by Jo Villanueva. Together this talented team weaves a “magikal” spell that will resonate with audiences young and old.

The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical is made possible in part by the generous support of a grant from the Russell Hill Rogers Fund for the Arts.

Who says lightning doesn’t strike twice? To celebrate The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical making its Magik appearance, the theatre is hosting The Percy Jackson Musical Theatre Experience. This week-long summer camp will have students on their feet learning catchy tunes and action-packed choreography from the musical. Ideal for aspiring young performers, Percy Jackson fans, or a combination of both, participants will have the unique opportunity to attend master classes led by professional artists from the show. Not only will the students be able to catch a full matinee performance, but on the last day of camp, they will get their turn on the professional stage to share what they’ve learned with family and friends. Camps will be held from 9a.m. to 4p.m. July 10-14 and July 17-21. Final sharing events will be held at 3p.m. on Friday, July 14, and Friday, July 21.

Magik Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. “We are here to make theatre accessible to every family and remove any existing barrier,” says Magik Theatre CEO Frank Villani. In keeping with that commitment, the 2023 season boasts some upgrades to include the special performances below.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, July 29, 2p.m.
Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, will be available during this performance for patrons that require ASL as their primary form of communication.

Sensory-Friendly Performance | Wednesday, July 26, 10:30a.m.
Sensory-friendly performances create a welcoming environment for people who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Modifying certain production elements to accommodate these individuals allows families and friends of those with autism or other disabilities to enjoy an authentic performance experience together.

Pay What You Wish Performance | Thursday, July 20, 2p.m.
Magik’s way of giving back to the community and providing an opportunity for families to experience live theatre with a donation of any amount.

Single Tickets are $33.50 for Orchestra Rows A – I and $23.50 for Orchestra Rows J-N and Balcony., Military, Seniors, and Educators. Children under two are free. Flex Passes and Single Tickets are available online or by calling (210) 227-2751. You can also purchase at the box office, 420 S. Alamo, from 9a.m.to 5p.m., Monday through Friday. If a child under two uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available to parties of ten or more people.

Schoolhouse Rock Live rolls into Magik Theatre

Schoolhouse Rock Live opens at the Magik Theatre this weekend. Photo: Magik Theatre, used with permission.

Tour the solar system with Interplanet Janet. Go shopping for adverbs at the Lolly family store. Take a ride on the Conjunction Junction railroad or hang out with Bill on Capitol Hill to learn about lawmaking. Yes, the gang is all here when Schoolhouse Rock Live! comes to the Magik Theatre from April 15-June 4. The musical shorts, which began airing on ABC in 1973, taught Generation X a wide range of educational facts through skits and catchy tunes but most of all, it eventually taught nostalgia. An entire generation tuned in at the same time every Saturday morning for that brief bit of airtime that was designed just for them. Perfect for the entire family, this retro revue introduces a new audience to the songs and characters that made Saturday mornings great for over a decade. (Magik Theatre, 2023)

From 1973-1985, children of all ages tuned into ABC on Saturday mornings for the Emmy-award-winning Schoolhouse Rock, a series of short, animated videos that combined education with entertainment. The concept was simple: take subjects like grammar, math, science, and history and make them infinitely more interesting to children by setting them to music. Originally developed by David McCall to help his son who was struggling with multiplication tables, Schoolhouse Rock has stood the test of time and is now enjoying a new iteration via musical theatre.

Directed by Anthony Runfola, Schoolhouse Rock Live! follows Tom, a teacher anxious about his first day of school. To calm his nerves, Tom turns on the television, where his favorite show, Schoolhouse Rock, suddenly comes to life right before his eyes. Through their catchy songs and creative imagery, the Schoolhouse Rock gang reminds Tom that learning can be fun while exploring themes including self-confidence, problem-solving, and overcoming fears.

The original ABC series was produced by George Newall and Tom Yohe and featured songs written and performed by Bob Dorough. It has been adapted and produced for the stage by Theatre BAM and presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). Based on McCall’s original concept, it features music and lyrics by Dorough, Newall, and Yohe, along with Lynn Ahrens, Dave Frishberg, and Kathy Mandry. The cast of five features Ian Eller performing in the lead role of Tom. Alyssa Dossett accompanies him as Dori, Rosa Gardner as Dina, Alaia Adriana as Shulie, and Digger Howard as George with stage management by Alyssa Snow. Together they are the Magik formula for this celebration of learning through the power of music and theatre. This production marks the return of School House Rock Live to Magik Theatre from its original debut in 2018. Patrons can expect to see the same iconic shorts with exciting new elements to engage, educate and entertain while having tons of fun.

Throughout the week, Magik Theatre offers the opportunity for schools to come to the theatre on a field trip. Rather than simply a “snippet” of a show, Magik Theatre field trip performances are the same as public performances. These productions offer as many as 70,000 children per season the opportunity to see a live performance that they might not be able to experience otherwise. It is part of the company’s commitment to inclusivity in the arts. Additionally, a Schoolhouse Rock Live study guide will be available on the website to educators with ideas for bringing the experience into the classroom in fun, engaging ways.

Magik Theatre is committed to making theatre accessible to everyone. “We are here to make theatre accessible to every family and remove any existing barrier,” says Magik Theatre CEO Frank Villani. In keeping with that commitment, the 2023 season boasts some upgrades to include the special performances below.

American Sign Language Interpreted Performance | Saturday, May 6, 2p.m. – Robert Cardoza, the San Antonio theatre community’s primary sign language interpreter, will be available during this performance for patrons that require ASL as their primary form of communication.

Sensory-Friendly Performance | Wednesday, May 24, 10:30a.m. – Sensory-friendly performances create a welcoming environment for people who are on the autism spectrum or who have other sensory sensitivities. Modifying certain production elements to accommodate these individuals allows families and friends of those with autism or other disabilities to enjoy an authentic performance experience together.

Pay What You Wish Performances | Saturday, May 13, 2p.m. and Saturday, June 3, 2p.m. – Magik’s way of giving back to the community and providing an opportunity for families to experience live theatre with a donation of any amount.

Flex Passes and Single Tickets are available online by calling (210) 227-2751. You can also purchase at the box office, 420 S. Alamo, from 9a.m.- 5p.m., Monday through Friday. If a child under two uses a seat, even a car or booster seat, the patron must pay for a general admission ticket. Group rates are available to parties of ten or more people. For questions and further inquiries, contact information.

Flex Passes are on sale now, $170 – 10 Flex Pass Tickets ($17 per ticket – A savings of 32% off single ticket prices) and $300 – 20 Flex Pass Tickets ($15 per ticket – A savings of 40% off single ticket prices)

Single Tickets are $18.50 for children (ages 2-17), Military, Seniors, and Educators. Adult tickets are $22.50, and children under two are free.

A professional theatre for young audiences established in 1994, Magik Theatre’s mission is to use the power of theatre to create Magikal storytelling for children that Activates imagination, Grows young minds, and Inspires creativity and a love of learning that is the Key to a more literate future for our community.